Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Diagnosis and Getting Help

As the parents of a three-year boy diagnosed with PDD-NOS in Jan. 2002, my wife and I are quickly devouring as much information on the subject as we can as we begin to advocate for our son's future (therapy, special education, behavior modification methods and possible nutritional/dietary changes). We have purchased or read nearly twenty books on the subject and, by far, Mitzi Waltz' summary of this broad spectrum disorder is the most well organized and written summary we have found. Here is a list of chapters/appendices of the book:1. THE MEDICAL FACTS ABOUT PDDs2. PDD CATEGORIES3. GETTING A DIAGNOSIS4. GETTING STARTED5. MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS6. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS7. OTHER INTERVENTIONS8. INSURANCE9. SCHOOL (EXCELLENT DISCUSSION OF IEPs, 504's, EDUCATION OPTIONS)10. FAMILY11. FINANCES12. SUPPORT13. LIVING WITH PDDsA. RESOUCES (OUTSTANDING LIST OF BOOKS, WEBSITES)B. SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY (A ONE-STOP SHOPPING LIST OF AUTISM SOCIETIES/SUPPORT GROUPS WITH ADDRESSES, PHONE #'S, INTERNET SITES)C. RESEARCH AND TESTING FACILITIESD. MEDICAL REFERENCEE. SUPPLEMENT REFERENCEF. DIAGNOSTIC TOOLSNOTESGLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS (A MUST FOR ANYONE NEW TO PDDs)INDEX (EXCELLENT WAY TO PINPOINT YOUR NEEDS)Several other excellent books tell the personal accounts of parents as they come to grips with the aftermath of a diagnosis and are wonderful therapy for parents to validate their feelings and outlooks. The Waltz book is written in plain language while covering the topic in a comprehensive and logical manner. It will serve as a reference for my family for years to come and I highly recommend it to EVERY parent who faces the challenges of living day-to-day with a child/adult diagnosed with a Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Thank you Mitzi!...

I found this book to be very helpful. When I purchased this book I was so greatful, that finally someone understood how i felt as a parent. This book gives you the background information that will educate parents on how to address their child's needs. It gives detailed info on medication, IEPS, clinics, websites and even information concerning patterns to teach the child. this book is worth every dime.I have a eight year old son with PDD nos... and it is hard, but i admit some of the techniques in this book was helpful and it gave alternatives to medication. this book make you feel that you are not alone. Our children are special too and they deserve the best care and this book offer the information that most people on the outside will not provide... Thank you (A mother in MI)

This is a must have book for the parents of a newly diagnosed child having PDD. Ms. Waltz gives a comprehensive account what a parent should, can, and legally ought to do for their child. She covers getting a diagnosis, medical interventions, insurance, schools, support and advocacy, etc. This book is a great place for parents to start. Once you have this base line education, you can better research possible interventions for your child and thus formulate an effective plan for your child. My daughter is now 5 yrs. old. She was first diagnosed when she was 3 yrs. old. All I could find on PDD then was articles written by pyschologists on whether or not the label should exist! Thank you Ms. Waltz.

There is not a better book on the market that can give you the information that Mitzi Waltz has brought to the reader with this book. It's a plethora of information in easy to understand terminology, yet deligentely and intelligently written. As a mother with 4 children with neurological disorders, 2 of which belonging to the PDD Spectrum, I can tell you that I would have given my left arm to have this collective works when we were just starting down our Holland© path.If you have ANY type of connection to the PDD world, be it parent, grandparent, relative, self, spouse, teacher, pastor, friend or doctor, HERE is where you'll find the answers.Thank you Mitzi Waltz!

As the mother of a 27 year old woman who has a Pervasive Developmental Disorder and as the editor of an international newsletter on the subject, I found this book to be what I would have wanted when my daughter was first diagnosed. The book is written in compattionate style and contains vital information for both new and very experienced parents of individuals with PDD. I would recommend this to all parents whose children fit the diagnostic criteria for any of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders.